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Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.

The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments emerged.

This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".

Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks

In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.

His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to struggle with us."

He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.

The legal document emphasizes that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.

Bolsonaro is being detained in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.

Latest Court Petitions

It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.

They also asked that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.

Details of Guilty Verdict

The former president was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, Lula.

Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was prevented because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a following week, on January 8th, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brasília.

The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.

The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the completion of his term.

The former president called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.